Paraprofessional - Autism Program (High School)

Wakefield Public Schools•Wakefield, MA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This position involves assisting a lead teacher in an Autism Program at the high school level. The role focuses on supporting students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in their educational and social development within the classroom environment. Key responsibilities include implementing individualized education plans (IEPs), facilitating social skills, supporting communication, monitoring progress, and collaborating with the special education team.

Requirements

Minimum High school diploma/GED
Excellent oral, written, and communication skills

Nice To Haves

Associated Degree or higher preferred
Experience working with high school students with Autism highly preferred

Responsibilities

Assist the lead teacher in implementing individualized education plans (IEPs) tailored to students with ASD.
Provide direct support to students during classroom activities, ensuring accommodations and modifications are effectively applied.
Facilitate social skills development by modeling appropriate interactions and supporting peer engagement.
Support students with communication challenges using alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) tools and strategies.
Monitor and document student progress, behavior, and performance data as directed by the teacher.
Assist with classroom management by implementing behavior intervention plans (BIPs) and de-escalation techniques.
Collaborate with the special education team, including teachers, therapists, and other paraprofessionals, to support student needs.
Assist students with personal care tasks, such as feeding, toileting, and hygiene, as needed.
Prepare and organize classroom materials and resources to support instructional activities.
Maintain a safe and positive learning environment by adhering to school policies and procedures.
Other duties as assigned.